Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Episcopal Commendations
The two Church of Ireland Primates have paid tribute to the episcopal ministry of the Bishop of Tuam, the Rt Revd Patrick Rooke, and the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Kenneth Kearon. The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, said: ‘I wish to thank Bishop Patrick Rooke and Bishop Kenneth Kearon for their respective and very distinctive contributions to the work of the House of Bishops and to the life of the Church of Ireland. When each was elected to the House, they brought with them a combination of wide experience and unique gifts. Bishop Rooke has worked tirelessly on an enormous range of projects on behalf of the Bishops with his characteristic thoroughness and energy. Bishop Kearon brought with him an unparalleled knowledge and experience of the Anglican Communion which he generously shared with many of us during the course of the last six years. Both Bishops, working together, with patience and pastoral care, successfully negotiated the amalgamation of their united dioceses, which can now look to the future with confidence and optimism.’
Dr Michael Jackson, the Archbishop of Dublin, remarked: ‘I would like to commend Bishop Patrick Rooke and Bishop Kenneth Kearon for their positive contributions to the life of the Church of Ireland in the dioceses of Tuam, Killala & Achonry and Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert and beyond. Geographically, the dioceses cover a large area along our western seaboard with a diverse population. Members of the Church of Ireland in the West of Ireland make a great contribution to their own communities and to the wider Church. The retirement of Bishop Rooke and Bishop Kearon will bring significant structural change to the dioceses. They are to be commended on the spirit in which this work has been carried out collaboratively.’
In a remarkable, perhaps unique, piece of episcopal choreography, both bishops will retire on 31 October. With the agreement of the two united dioceses, in 2019 the General Synod voted to amalgamate them under the oversight of one bishop upon the next episcopal vacancy. With both bishops retiring at the same time, a new bishop will be elected, probably early in the new year.
Today (Saturday) is the Dean of St Patrick’s Gift Day. Due to Covid–19 concerns, the Dean, Dr William Morton, will be unable, as has become customary, to welcome donors, dispense hospitality and talk about cathedral projects. However, those who wish to donate may do so via the cathedral’s website at www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/donate or by sending a cheque, made payable to ‘Saint Patrick’s Cathedral’, to the Cathedral Office. St Patrick’s Close, Dublin D08 H6X3. This year the Dean is seeking support to adapt the choir stall lights from oil burning to LED lighting, to refurbish the pew runners and the kneelers and to repair the locks on the pew doors. Last year’s Gift Day raised in excess of €43,000 which will be used to enhance the sound quality of the live stream system.
In a new initiative St Patrick’s is cooperating with its neighbour in the Cathedral Close, Marsh’s Library, to offer a joint admission ticket allowing visitors to enjoy both iconic buildings – the oldest public library in Ireland and the Church of Ireland’s national cathedral.
A new series of ‘Summer Music at Sandford’ began on Friday 4 June 2021 and recitals will be uploaded every second Friday to the Music at Sandford and St Philip’s Youtube channel. The next recital will be on 2 July when Stan O’Beirne will play piano music by Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy and Szymanowsk.
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times